Improve Your Resume, Improve Your Success
"Building Your Online Resume"
As you know, getting noticed in this business is not easy, and a bad headshot and resume can be a major setback in your search for representation.
Having trouble finding an agent or manager? Your resume may be to blame.
If you have been seeking representation for quite some time, and provided you are following the casting process, if you aren't seeing results it may be a good idea to step back and reexamine your headshots and resume. In fact, when the profiles of CIF members reporting a poor success rate were examined, the large majority contained less than stellar headshots, an insufficient or outdated resume and/or lacked a compelling bio. Don't let something as simple as updating your profile keep you from getting an agent or booking an audition!
This month is "resume" month at CIF. We encourage you to take advantage of our tools so that your child's resume is accurately formatted, up-to-date and effective, and so that his/her headshots are up to industry standards. Plus, all month long we'll be providing you with resume tips, events with industry pros who will be discussing what they look for in a good resume, and samples for you to use while creating your own.
Remember, While online submissions are the way of the future, it is still necessary to keep a few hard copies of your headshot and resume to hand out. The Photos & Resumes section of our website will provide you with downloadable, age-appropriate samples which you can use to create your own resume. In addition, we've provided cover letter information and samples.
Don't Forget About Pictures - Pictures are perhaps the most important tool for showcasing your child. Unfortunately many parents are ill-informed about what makes a great headshot. Industry professionals see school photos, cluttered indoor snapshots, plain white backgrounds and other photo "no-no's" way too often. A perfectly adorable, talented child could go overlooked simply because his/her headshot isn't up to par. For samples of excellent headshots, visit our Photo Contest Winners page. As you scroll through the current winners and the Winner's Archive, you will notice similarities in eye contact, poses, backgrounds, coloring and framing. Note that some of these photos were taken by professionals, while others are snapshots taken by a parent or relative. Do your child's photos resemble the photos on this page? If not, it may be time to hire a professional photographer.
KidStart - Children In Film's KidStart program is a step-by-step guide designed to help you launch your child's career. Step 3 gives detailed information about taking your own snapshots and assuring that you're hiring the best headshot photographer, while Step 5 provides information about what to include in the four main aspects of your child's resume.
Want more resume tips? Sign up for one of this month's events. We have live events and Hollywood From Homes which you can view from your computer.
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